I'm currently doing a ground up on my 64. I'm going for practical with muscle not original (sorry o-buffs). This is going to be an everyday rider not a prostreet, but show truck quality. What I want to do is upgrade the steering and suspension system to accomodate 60+ speeds and make parking a bit easier. I can't seem to find any info on converting to power steering anywhere for a 64. I have come to the conclusion that it would be easier to put my body on a newer model frame that already has a more modern steering and suspension system. If anyone has tackled this task or can help me with any info post it for me if you would. Thank you all.

 

Have you considered a Mustang II kit or a Volare' independent front suspension? You would gain power steering and disk brakes with either conversion. Would need someone that is a good welder to accomplish this though.

 

Sean, The pre 65s don't offer much in the way of upgradeable boltons. Most that I have seen have had subframes weilded in place of the front axles.

John
jowilker
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66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

If your king pins and bushings, tie rods, etc. are in good condition, and you havent swapped on a puny little sport steering wheel, these trucks arent that hard to steer. I have 60 series tires on the front of mine and have no troubles (and Im no body builder, either!). High speeds are not a problem either. I suggest converting to disk brakes from eci though. These trucks whoa ok, but those front drum brakes can be a little squirrly in a panic situation.

Nathan

 

Tell me more. Welding is no problem as long as it doesn't involve aluminum. What are these kits composed of and where can I find more info? Thank you very much for your response!

 

go to the "tech articles" section of this site and look at the stories on the independant front ends. There are some good articles that show how to do that. If you go to the Slick 60's site on yahoo clubs, look at the photos of a member named Derek. He has a photo of his truck with a Volare' installed.

 

I am interested in doing the fuel injection conversion mentioned in the tech articles for "installing a 5.0 and AOD into a 64 f100". But it seems if I were going to swap engine, tranny, steering system, rearend, and already have it tore down to the frame it would be easier to mount the cab and bed to a frame that already has updated everything. Therefore no motor mount work, no steering sytem mods, etc. Just lots of welding!

 

Smart thinking!! IMHO

John
jowilker
[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker|Club FTE since 01 01] My FTE Page

[link:www.ford-trucks.net/users/jowilker/NCFTE.html|NC Truck Owners] NC Ford Truck owners group

66F100s Rule
In the cool still quite of night you can hear chevies rusting away.

 

You could always do granada type power cylinder add on, I have seen these done in magazines on older Fords. CUSTOM AND CLASSIC TRUCKS has done one in the past.

 

If your talking about power assist I already have it. If anyone out their is thinking of putting one in, my opinion is don't do it to make steering easier. It did take out some of the times where the truck acts like a pothole magnet bouncing from side to sid(losing steering control when hitting an ubstruction). But it wasn't worth it for steering ease. If you plan on keeping the original steering it's a must for safety reasons. Just don't expect it to be anything like power steering. If you are talking about something else, please tell me more!

 

My suggestion, as long as you are welding things, would to go with a full front clip, with PS, discs, etc. from a late (up to '79) ford and weld 'er on. With an aftermarket set of dropped I-beams. it can be dropped down. Am not certain that the radiator support will bolt up, but modifying should't be too bad. This way you have a truck-strength front end, heavy springs for that big block, and all that, and it will look "natural"..

 

I have been thinking about modifying my front steering setup. Although, I have not seen any articles on rack and pinion on the solid front axle, it appears that it could be done. I believe the present arms that connect the spindle to the to the drag link from one wheel to the other, could be reversed. This should improve steering in itself. However, it would mean that the rack would have to be mounted to the axle in front and below the springs, putting it somewhat in the way of harm. As an alternative, I thought of mounting the rack high enough to run the rack between the springs and the axle. I thought it might be possible to just flip the connecting arms and do this. If not I would have to make arms to fit. One or two other things come to mind that would help these front ends. One is one of those cylinders, like a shock, to stop the front from transmitting bumps etc. from one side to the other. The second would be a sway bar and or a panhard bar. I also have my truck down to the frame,but spent to much on the stock setup to give it up at this time. My suggestion is to find 65 or newer frame that way you can use brakes steering and other parts from all the way up to about 79. You will have to build a body mount for the cab. There are some other problems with the cab, specifically the steering column. It comes out at a different angle from the 64 on a 65. Be sure you look a 65-6 over and compare before you start. If you use the 64 frame you might want to box the frame, especially if you remove the cross brace at the rear of the springs in front. I rebuilt my cross brace and left it in, but I think it will cause me problems in the future. I am waiting on the rack until I have found someone that has allready done it and get some feedback.
Good Luck,
Rich

 

Sounds like a good idea. I have one of those steering assist cylinders you're talking about and can assure you it makes a difference. I think it's a must. After putting it in I saw no need for the swaybar upgrade. It sounds like your going for practicality instead of original, as am I. If this is the case, why not go ahead and upgrade to power steering and upgrade to independant front suspension? There are a couple ways of doing it that I've found. And from research alone, not experience, it doesn't sound much more difficult or complicated than where you are at now. As for my frame, I am looking around for something that already has all the upgraded goodies. Maybe an 85 F150 or later. I just haven't checked the specs to see how compatable it would be. If I switched to a 65 or so frame I would still be upgrading and chasing down mod kits. Yes they are easier to find on a 65, but they aren't even neccesary on a newer frame. If this idea is ridiculous for some reason unknown to me, please fill me in. By the way, so your the one who got my username!!!! Just kiddin' and good luck to you to.

 

When I first started my truck, I intended for it to be an every day driver. Drove it for a year before deciding to change engines. During that time I installed new springs, king pins, brakes etc. Got to much money in the front end to scrap it. Got ready to put a 351w and C6 out af a van I had, thats when things got out of hand. Decided to take the dog house off to build the motor mount and do the install. After that, it was all down hill. In the end, every piece of the truck has been either redone or replaced. Curse of being a perfectionist is that one is never satisfied. Frame has been sand blasted, body, doors, fenders, hood are media blasted inside ,outside, and underneath. Stepside bed is all new with the exception of one step and one fender. New chrome grill and bumper. New stainless tailights and brackets. After all that, the motor was not up to the quality of the truck,so there I went again. Waiting for the cam to come in for the roller conversion. Block I ended up with was roller compatible so why not do it. Anyway, I'm tired of working on it and can't wait to get it on the road. Been down for a year now. Hope to have it on the road by fall. Everything is painted but want to repaint the back of the cab and the front panel of the bed, just not satisfied.
Have not heard of anyone doing the 80 up thing. Wonder if you might find a rollover lightning and get entire setup. Don't know if it would work, but sounds like an interesting idea. Although, probably cost a fortune, wouldn't hurt to check around on the net. Someone might know of something. If you run into anything you need help on, be glad to share any info I have.
Rich

 

I just read about your 64 and it's modification process. I also have a 64 that is modified to the gills with things that suit my taste and maybe not that of others. I had a problem on the power steering availability myself, and since I couldn,t find anything readily available, I whacked it. That's right, I subframed it using what else but a 77 Monte Carlo clip (mainly because the width was almost perfect). I now have IFS, disc. brakes, power steering, A/C, power windows, bed cover, Carolina Blue, with frosted Americans, smoke gray tempered glass, and I relocated my original gas tank in the front 8" of the bed with a cover over it so you can't see the tank, and the cover also has a flip up gas filler door. Oh I also installed a weld on roll pan,and shaved all emblems and the door handles, relocated parking lights in the smoothed front bumper,and a hidden electric antenna. I just know I missed something. Oh well, that's what happens when you pass that 40 mark.